Democracy!
What is a democracy?
A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing gov’t so that policy responds to public demands◦Founders despised pure forms of democracy
“Mob rule”The US has a representative democracy.
◦Elect people to make decisions for us.
Democratic Theories
Equality in voting: one person, one vote.
Effective participation: citizens must have efficient and equal ways to voice concerns
Enlightened Understanding: Free press and free speech essential
Citizens control the agenda: collective right to control agenda, not selective
Inclusion: All rights must be extended to those subject to the laws.
Ideas Cont.
Majority rule: Policies created must represent the will of over half of voters◦Restraints are created in order to protect
minority rights.Minority rights: majority cannot infringe
upon rights such as; speech, assembly etc.
Representation: will of the many is communicated through elected officials.
Influence of the many
Pluralism: many groups participate.◦No single group can dominate◦NRA, PETA, UAW all competing for gov’t attention.
Pluralist believe all people will be heard at some point in the decision making process◦“Nation of joiners”
Today many people join interest groups and lobbying activities.
Problems with Pluralism
Americans have started to decline in group participation◦Technology has caused less involvement
through isolation.More solo involvement than group.
◦Increase in bowlers, decrease in bowling league involvement
People are making more individual decisions, rather than group.
All of the theories!
Elitism: upper class America holds all power◦1/3 nations wealth held by 1%◦Some extremists say that it doesn’t matter who
rules, corporations hold power.Hyperpluralism: So many groups compete,
and stop the government from acting.◦Worried about offending these groups.◦Too many portions of gov’t have overlapping
powers, hard to coordinate.
Challenges to Democracy
Increased complexity of issues: issues problems beyond general population knowledge
Limited participation in gov’t: citizens not taking full advantage of opportunities to participate
Campaign costs: Connection between money and politics
Diverse political interests: hard to establish a majority interest
Political Culture of the US
Political Culture: set of values widely shared within a society◦Liberty: various freedoms◦Egalitarianism: equality of opportunity
¾ Americans are proud of the equality and fairness of the US
◦Individualism: the idea that people should and can get ahead on their own.
◦Laissez-faire◦Populism: rights of average person against the
elite
Gross Domestic Product
GDP: sum total of the value of all goods and services produced in a year◦We spend $3.8 trillion a year◦Employ 2.8 million◦ people